SRCB Members
SRCB members are passionate volunteers who represent recipients of rehabilitation services, their families, service providers, educators, advocates, and policy makers. We work together and alongside the DSB to promote excellence in service, leading to independence and meaningful employment for people experiencing vision loss in Washington State.
- Current Council members
- SRCB Staff
- Joining the Council
COUNCIL REPRESENTATION AND MEMBERS
In accordance with WAC 67-10-025, individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision must constitute a majority of the council and SRCB membership must include members of specific represented groups.
Consumer Advocacy Organization
Kris Colcock, 2024 SRCB Vice-Chair
Kris Colcock is the 1st Vice-President of the National Federation of the Blind of Washington. She is a Certified Work Incentive Practitioner and an avid advocate for individuals experiencing vision loss. Her involvement includes experience with the Sound Transit Citizens Accessibility Advisory Council and King County S.A.V.E.. Currently she serves on the NFB Employment Committee and the Kitsap County Accessible Community Advisory Council.
Current or Former Recipients of VR Services
Julie Brannon
Julie retired in 2019 after working for over 40 years in the fields of social work, teaching and program management. She has been involved in working with persons who are blind and blindness issues for approximately 25 years, both as a teacher and program manager for DSB; as well as in a variety of leadership roles with one of Washington State’s consumer organizations, the Washington Council of the Blind, in which she’s currently serving as president.
Larry Watkinson
Larry Watkinson serves as the Department of Licensing ADA Compliance Manager. In this capacity, he is responsible for implementation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well implementation of the departments, ADA Transition Plan. As part of this responsibility, Larry has earned the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program certification.
Larry holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Evergreen State College and has also been a small business owner. Larry is an active member of his community and within numerous non-profit organizations. Larry participated in the efforts to adopt the Americans with Disabilities Act and has been engaged throughout its implementation.
Business, Labor, and Industry
Andy Arvidson, 2024 SRCB Chair
Andy is an Orientation and Training Center (OTC) graduate and holds a master’s degree in Martial Arts and Physiology from the World Moo Duk Kwan Academy. He is currently a business owner in Anacortes with his wife and a DSB contractor for Sightless Self-defense classes.
Julie Harlow
Julie is the business owner of InnerVisions, LLC. She gained her master’s degree from Maryland University of Integrative Health in Health & Wellness Coaching. She is transitioning from current services to her new start-up business. Julie has been a military dependent and has lived throughout the United States and Germany. She has made Washington her home for the last thirty years. She is Deaf-Blind as well as from a multi-cultural family.
Jacob Kamaunu, Business Enterprise Program
Jacob is currently a restaurateur and a member of the Washington State Business Enterprise Program (BEP) where he received his certification as a blind vendor. Jacob has been able to manage and maintain his small business operations out of the heart of Seattle for the past six years, providing employment opportunities to all who are able with no exclusion to those who are experiencing vision loss.
Cathy Wilson
Cathy has lived in Tacoma since 1989 after living in CA and Germany and has a B.S. degree in Accounting. Her vision loss occurred over more than 20 years, and Cathy attended the OTC after becoming legally blind in 2011. At the OTC she developed a passion to assist and encourage others with their vision loss. She now works in human resources at the Lighthouse for the Blind where an essential part of her job is to recruit talented people who are Blind, Deaf Blind or Low Vision. Cathy has been active in the Pierce County Association of the Blind (PCAB) since 2013.
State Workforce Investment Board
William "Bill" Dowling
Bill Dowling is a proven and dynamic leader who is deeply committed to employment opportunities for all. Bill began working as the Director of the Olympic Workforce Development Council which serves the three-county region of Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties in December of 2021. Previous to his relocation to Washington, Bill served over 8 years as the Director of the Division of Employment and Training for the State of Colorado. Bill has over 24 years of experience working in the Workforce and Economic Development arenas.
In addition to his daily work, Bill serves as Board member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP). He has served as co-chair of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies' (NASWA) Workforce ITSC committee and member of the National Labor Exchange (NLx), Veterans, and Employment and Training Committee. Bill also served for 4 years as a Board member of the Howard Fund, which provides funding for important training and/or equipment that would not otherwise be available to help blind or low vision Coloradans to gain greater independence.
Client Assistance Program
Jennifer Bean
Jennifer Bean has been working in the Vocational Rehabilitation field for 20+ years. Her work experience includes being an Independent Living Counselor, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Benefits Specialist and Regional Trainer at Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Additionally, she was a Rehabilitation Coordinator with the Washington Client Assistance Program (CAP) and became the Executive Director of CAP in August 2021. Jennifer has a MA degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and has years of experience with training and teaching.
Parent Information and Training Center
Shawnda Hicks
Shawnda has been a Program Coordinator and Family Navigator at PAVE, a non-profit that supports individuals with neurodiversity, developmental disability, and medical complexity and their families for four years. She has three children, her oldest child diagnosed with trichotillomania and her son, born with Down syndrome. A lifelong learner, Shawnda is currently a UW LEND Fellow in the Family Discipline Cohort.
Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
Kara Thompson
Kara Thompson is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB). She obtained a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Western Oregon University in 2007 and has 17+ years of experience in VR between working at DSB and Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).
Community Rehabilitation Program Service Providers
Kristin Geary
Kristin has spent the last four years working with Washington Vocational Services who contracts with the DSB's youth services summer internship program. Since moving to Seattle in 2008, Kristin's work has supported people who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision with and without additional disabilities, specializing in teaching daily living and employment readiness skills.
Section 121 Native Americans Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Christopher Zilar
Christopher joined as the Director of Spokane Tribe's Vocational Rehabilitation Program in 2016. He has previously worked for public health and within a small chamber of commerce focused on diversity and inclusion. Christopher has completed three medical mission trips to Rwanda. He has six kids, including two sets of twin boys, and resides near Spokane Indian Reservation with his family.
State Educational Agency
Dr. Liz Stewart
Liz is a Program Improvement Supervisor with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). She has served as Director of the Regional Day School Program in Fort Worth, Texas serving students with auditory impairments and vision loss. Liz has also served as a teacher of the deaf at the high school level, and as parent infant advisor for infants and families. Liz currently provides guidance and support to district and families across the state on special education issues, serves as a member of a statewide special education monitoring team, and leads a myriad of special projects like the specific learning disability (SLD) evaluation discrepancy method phaseout.
Individuals who are Blind, with Multiple Disabilities
Sara Logston
Sara is finishing her TVI degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She currently works at the Washington State School for the Blind as a Residential Life Counselor. Sara has two teenage boys and likes to spend time traveling with family when school is not in session.
Washington State Independent Living Council
Rebekah ‘Bek” Moras
Bek is the Executive Director of the Washington State Independent Living Council. She has a PhD in Disability Studies, identifies as a person with multiple “hidden disabilities”, and as a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. Bek has a passion for technical accessibility, including accessible communication, events, documents, policies, and practices.
DSB Executive Director
Michael Mackillop, Ex-Officio Member
Michael MacKillop was appointed Acting Executive Director of DSB in January 2020. Michael has served as agency Deputy Director as well as other executive and direct service positions over the past 20 years. He believes deeply in the philosophical backdrop of the Disability Rights and Independent Living movements, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which all have been key in shaping the agency’s mission of “Independence, Inclusion and Economic Vitality for individuals with Visual Disabilities”.
STAFF
DSB Appointed Liaison
Meredith Stannard
Meredith worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and supervisor for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Seattle, and retired from her position as Regional Area Manager at the Washington Department of Services for the Blind in 2017. She is entering her fifth year as the liaison to the Washington State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind. She has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Seattle University.
SRCB Staff Assistant
Yvonne Grimes
Yvonne came to Services for the Blind in 2017 with a diverse work background, and says she has been able to put everything she’s ever learned to use at DSB. Yvonne is a lifelong Washingtonian and currently lives in Olympia. She feels very fortunate to have landed at a state agency that holds the same values as she does, and enjoys supporting the SRC-B and its members as part of her work.
JOINING THE COUNCIL
Washington is home to vibrant communities and diverse citizens who all have unique talents, skills, and experiences. Governor Inslee places a high priority on boards, commissions, and councils that are reflective of the diverse make-up of Washington and that utilize the impressive talent of our citizens.
We are always seeking skilled and experienced individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to participate in boards, commissions, and councils ensuring an effective and representative government.
Council Profile
The State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRCB) provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who are blind or visually impaired, pursue employment, education, and independent living. The Council is an advisory group of volunteers appointed by the Governor who provide counsel and recommendations on the progress of the Department of Services for the Blind. Each position has a three year term.
More information can be found on the Governor's Boards and Commissions website.
Vacancies
There are currently no vacant positions on the Department of Services for the Blind State Rehabilitation Council.
Apply to the SRCB
To If you would like to be considered for appointment to the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, complete the online application at: https://www.governor.wa.gov/boards-commissions/boards-commissions/apply-serve-board-or-commission. Be sure to select “Blind, Rehabilitation Council for”. Applications may be submitted at any time.
For more information or assistance regarding the application process, please contact SRC for the Blind Liaison, Meredith Stannard.